THE HOKITIKA JUBILEE

Hokitika Guardian, 9 February 1935, Page 4

THE HOKITIKA JUBILEE

(To the Editor)

Sir, —Having been away from the Coast for many years, I at Christmas, made a point of visiting scenes of long ago, and also attended the Hokitika Jubilee, saw the procession, and also attended the dinner to old timers, enjoying both, but was rather surprised at two oversights connected with the dinner. In the first place, the most spectacular item of the procession was the canoe manned by the Maoris, but at the dinner the different speaker* neglected to pay a well deserved complement to our native brethren: Not a word was spoken about them. Haxl they been given an oportunity, I am sure we would have heard something of interest concerning the Coast and its people prior to the advent of the Pakeha.

In the next place, I banked o n meeting at the dinner a few at least, old chums and friends but Father Time had so wrinkled the dials and silvered the hair ' v or what wa s left of it) of the old-timers that unless one were told who they were one would fail to recognise an old chum, mate or friend, and so I found it, and although I must have known many I only discovered two. I fully expected what would happen, and suggested to a member .of the committee a simple means by which the old-timers would recognise each other, but the advice evidently fell flat. Save the two items I have mentioned, and which, I may put down as oversights, the committee and others responsible deserve great credit for they made the Jubilee a great success and a typical gathering of old West Coasters, and which reminds me, that, in Australia some year s ago I met a friend who had travelled a good deal and met many West Coasters, who, he said, were first rate people, but were “damnably clannish,” and he was quite right for I have always found them so, and trust they will keep up their .reputation. If future generations of Coasters continue to jubilate be sure old-timers will he there in spirit and who knows, but science may some day enable them to be both seen and heard.

W ith thanks to von, Mr Editor, and KTA ORA KATOA. Christchurch, Feb. 7.